I have a set of NetNews CD-ROMS from Sterling Software mounted in some
Pioneer CD-ROM changers. They would make a reasonable news archive,
hooked up to a WWW server. A full text index would be even better. I am
looking into putting together such a server.

One problem is that Sterling is seriously behind in sending out the CD-ROMs.
I have not received any dated since August. Too long a lag makes it less useful
as an archive for finding recently expired articles. I'm even getting worried that
Sterling may discontinue the product (or go out of business).